Beetroot Juice for Interstitial Lung Disease

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Must not be taking: Prednisone

Disqualifiers: Cardiovascular, Musculoskeletal, Neurological, others

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing if drinking beetroot juice with high nitrate levels can help people with a type of lung disease exercise better. The target group is patients with a type of lung disease, who have difficulty breathing and exercising. The nutrients in the beetroot juice help improve blood flow and muscle function, which may make it easier for these patients to exercise. Beetroot juice, rich in nutrients, has been shown to improve exercise performance and muscle efficiency in various populations.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are using prednisone at more than 10 mg/day for more than two weeks within three months of the first study visit, you may not be eligible to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment for Interstitial Lung Disease?

Research shows that beetroot juice, which is high in nitrates, can improve exercise performance and lower blood pressure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This suggests that beetroot juice might also help people with other lung conditions, like Interstitial Lung Disease, by improving their ability to exercise and reducing blood pressure. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is beetroot juice safe for humans?

Research shows that beetroot juice, which is high in dietary nitrate, is generally safe for humans. It has been used in studies to improve exercise performance and lower blood pressure in various conditions, including COPD and chronic kidney disease, without significant adverse effects. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

How is beetroot juice treatment unique for interstitial lung disease?

Beetroot juice is unique because it contains high levels of dietary nitrate, which can increase plasma nitrate and nitrite levels, potentially improving exercise capacity and reducing blood pressure. This approach is different from standard treatments as it focuses on enhancing physical performance and cardiovascular health through natural dietary supplementation. ^{1 2 4 5 8}

Research Team

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people with certain types of interstitial lung disease (like IPF or NSIP) who have stable oxygen levels and health in the past 6 weeks. They should be able to exercise, not have severe other diseases, no pacemakers or similar devices, and their lung function should be above a specific threshold.

Inclusion Criteria

My health condition has been stable for the last 6 weeks.

Your oxygen level is at least 92% when measured with a pulse oximeter while resting and breathing normal air.

I have been diagnosed with a specific type of lung scarring disease by a team of doctors.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a lung or other serious health condition that affects my ability to exercise or breathe.

I cannot do exercise tests due to a serious health condition.

You have a pacemaker or any metal or electronic devices inside your body.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive dietary nitrate supplementation or placebo for 1 week to assess exercise performance

1 week

1 visit (in-person) for baseline and post-treatment assessments

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1-2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• concentrated beetroot juice (400mg of nitrate per serving) (Dietary Supplement)
• concentrated beetroot juice (trace amounts of nitrate per serving) (Dietary Supplement)

Trial Overview The study tests if drinking beetroot juice rich in nitrate improves exercise performance compared to beetroot juice without nitrate for those with interstitial lung disease. Participants will drink one type of juice and see how it affects their ability to exercise.

Participant Groups

Group I: Dietary nitrate supplementation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The dietary nitrate supplement will be a concentrated, nitrate-rich beetroot juice (70 ml providing ∼400mg nitrate per serving)

Group II: Placebo Placebo Group 1 Intervention

The placebo will be a concentrated, nitrate-depleted beetroot juice (70 ml with trace amounts of nitrate)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of British Columbia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,506

Recruited

2,528,000+

Dr. Christopher Haqq

University of British Columbia

Chief Medical Officer since 2019

MD, University of British Columbia

Bekki Bracken Brown

University of British Columbia

Chief Executive Officer since 2023

Bachelor's degree from Duke University

Findings from Research

In a study involving nine trained apneists, acute supplementation with nitrate-rich beetroot juice did not significantly affect heart rate (HR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), or pulmonary gas exchange during submaximal static and dynamic apneas.

The results suggest that consuming beetroot juice prior to apnea exercises does not provide any physiological benefits for free divers, as there were no notable differences compared to a placebo.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect of a Dietary Nitrate Supplementation in the Form of a Single Shot of Beetroot Juice on Static and Dynamic Apnea Performance. Barlow, MJ., Elia, A., Shannon, OM., et al.[2018]

In a 14-day study involving 8 subjects with mild to moderate COPD, daily consumption of nitrate-rich beetroot juice significantly increased exercise capacity, as shown by a 14.6% improvement in the incremental shuttle walk test distance.

The increase in exercise tolerance was linked to higher levels of plasma nitrate/nitrite, suggesting that dietary nitrate may enhance performance in COPD patients without affecting blood pressure or lung function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary nitrate improved exercise capacity in COPD but not blood pressure or pulmonary function: a 2 week, double-blind randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Kerley, CP., James, PE., McGowan, A., et al.[2019]

In a 12-week study with adults, those consuming beetroot juice containing 380 mg of nitrate showed a significant increase in plasma nitrite levels (273.2% change) compared to a placebo group (4.9% change).

Long-term consumption of beetroot juice effectively enhances the body's ability to convert dietary nitrate into plasma nitrate and nitrite, indicating its potential benefits for cardiovascular health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and Variability in Plasma Nitrite Levels during Long-Term Supplementation with Nitrate Containing Beetroot Juice. Miller, GD., Collins, S., Ives, J., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 17 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, supplementation with beetroot juice, which is high in dietary nitrate, significantly reduced blood pressure and renal resistive index (RRI), suggesting potential cardiovascular benefits.

The reduction in blood pressure and RRI after beetroot juice consumption may be attributed to the release of nitric oxide (NO), a vasodilator, indicating that dietary nitrate could be a useful adjunct therapy for managing hypertension in CKD patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary nitrate load lowers blood pressure and renal resistive index in patients with chronic kidney disease: A pilot study. Kemmner, S., Lorenz, G., Wobst, J., et al.[2018]

Dietary nitrate supplementation from beetroot juice significantly increases plasma nitrite levels and enhances oxygen uptake kinetics during moderate-intensity exercise in hypoxia, suggesting improved efficiency in oxygen utilization.

In hypoxic conditions, nitrate supplementation also improves tolerance to severe-intensity exercise, indicating potential benefits for athletes training or competing at high altitudes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary nitrate supplementation: effects on plasma nitrite and pulmonary O2 uptake dynamics during exercise in hypoxia and normoxia. Kelly, J., Vanhatalo, A., Bailey, SJ., et al.[2022]

References

1. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary beetroot juice - effects on physical performance in COPD patients: a randomized controlled crossover trial. [2018]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary nitrate supplementation improves exercise performance and decreases blood pressure in COPD patients. [2018]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect of a Dietary Nitrate Supplementation in the Form of a Single Shot of Beetroot Juice on Static and Dynamic Apnea Performance. [2018]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary nitrate improved exercise capacity in COPD but not blood pressure or pulmonary function: a 2 week, double-blind randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial. [2019]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and Variability in Plasma Nitrite Levels during Long-Term Supplementation with Nitrate Containing Beetroot Juice. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary nitrate load lowers blood pressure and renal resistive index in patients with chronic kidney disease: A pilot study. [2018]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary nitrate supplementation: effects on plasma nitrite and pulmonary O2 uptake dynamics during exercise in hypoxia and normoxia. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of dietary nitrate supplementation on the oxygen cost of exercise and walking performance in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. [2015]